My research platform comprises four interrelated themes, namely Social Movements and Popular Protest; Identities; Alternative Futures and Cognitive Justice. In general, I am interested in researching and teaching about social transformation, and I have a particular interest in alternatives to capitalism.
Erin Silver (PhD, Primary supervisor) Proposed topic: 'Creating Transformative Change: exploring the place of social service NGOs in the abolitionist movement in Aotearoa'
Dani Pickering, VUW (PhD, Co-supervisor, External) Proposed topic: 'Tracing the evolution of the Tiriti education movement'
Shirley A'chieng (PhD Co-supervisor) Proposed topic: "Towards an Indigenous African Approach to Counterterrorism in Kenya.”
Suddhabrata Deb Roy (PhD, Primary supervisor) Proposed topic: “The Dormant Contemporary Indian Working Women's Movements: Failure of Unions and Marxism or Inadequacy of Feminism?”
Tahere Siisiialafia (PhD, Co-supervisor) Proposed topic: “Spirituality, Youth Advocacy and Activism: A Pacific Perspective”
Completed supervision
Samwel Oando (PhD, Co-supervisor) Proposed topic: "Engendered Conflict Transformation: Space for African Women in Tackling Violent Extremism in Kenya" (Completed in 2022)
Mariam Abdul-Dayyem: (PhD, Primary supervisor) "Everyday resilience: How has the journey of internet usage among Palestinians in the West Bank affected and reflected their political subjectivity?” (Completed in 2021)
Yoonjin Kim (PhD, Joint supervisor) "Old Practices, Sports Reforms and Sports Coaches in a Quandary: Sports Coaches' Identities and the Coaching Self" (Completed in 2020)
Joe Llewellyn (PhD, Co-supervisor) “Envisioning an Anarcho-Pacifist Peace: A case for the convergence of anarchism and pacifism and an exploration of the Gandhian movement for a stateless society” (Completed in 2018)
Amy Foster (BA Honours, Sociology) “You're Welcome Here, but…”: Understanding the Role of Mass and Social Media in Shaping Attitudes Towards Refugees in New Zealand (Completed in 2016)
Krzysztof Jankowski (BA Honours, Sociology) "Everyday Resistances of the Local Food Movement: Individual Action or Collective Social Change?" (Completed in 2013)
Lucert Nkuna (MA Sociology, University of Johannesburg, Primary supervisor) "Youth Identity and Popular Culture: A study of 'The Zone', Rosebank, Johannesburg." (Completed in 2014)
Heather Tluczek (MA Development Studies, University of Johannesburg, Primary supervisor) "Municipal Service Partnerships in KwaZulu-Natal: Comparing Water Service Provision in Etete and Kwadukuza." (Completed in 2013)
Kgopotso Khumalo (MA Sociology, University of Johannesburg, Primary supervisor) “Perceptions and Experiences of the Urban Landless People's Movement in Acquiring Land: The Case of the Landless People's Movement in Protea South' (Completed in 2012)
Rachélle Koekemoer (MA Sociology, University of Johannesburg, Co-supervisor)| “Community Participation in Water Service Delivery in the Vembe District, Limpopo” (Completed in 2009)
Kurai Masenyama (MA Sociology, University of Johannesburg, Co-supervisor) “The Influence of Local Content Regulations on 'National Identity' Creation: The Case of the South African Broadcasting Corporation Television” (Completed in 2005)
Publications
Jackson, S., Sam, M., Porter, D., & Dawson, M. (2023). The well-being pandemic: Outline of a contested terrain and research agenda. Proceedings of the International Sociological Association (ISA) XX World Congress of Sociology. (pp. 343). Madrid, Spain: International Sociological Association. Retrieved from https://www.isa-sociology.org/en
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Kim, Y. J., & Dawson, M. C. (2023). Sports reforms and coaches’ spoiled identities: An analysis of structural stigma. Sociology of Sport Journal. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1123/ssj.2022-0216
Journal - Research Article
Primbs, O., & Dawson, M. C. (2023). Taking stand-up seriously: Comedy as a site for imagining decolonial futures. Sociological Inquiry. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/soin.12585
Journal - Research Article
Jackson, S. J., Sam, M. P., Dawson, M. C., & Porter, D. (2022). The wellbeing pandemic: Outline of a contested terrain and a proposed research agenda. Frontiers in Sociology, 7, 950557. doi: 10.3389/fsoc.2022.950557
Journal - Research Article
Dawson, M. C. (2022). Participatory action research and the study of political participation. In M. Giugni & M. Grasso (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of political participation. (pp. 329-343). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198861126.001.0001
Chapter in Book - Research
Kim, Y. J., & Dawson, M. C. (2022). Sports reforms, interaction (dis)order and stigma: coaching identities in context. Sport, Education & Society, 27(7), 830-843. doi: 10.1080/13573322.2021.1932456
Journal - Research Article
Jackson, S. J., & Dawson, M. C. (2021). The global business of sport in a brave new world: Conceptualising a framework for alternative futures. Frontiers in Sports & Active Living, 3, 673178. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2021.673178
Journal - Research Article
Wallace, A., Jackson, S., & Dawson, M. C. (2021). Women's experiences of rugby culture in Aotearoa/New Zealand: Naked women talk about sport. In H. Joncheray (Ed.), Women in rugby. (pp. 101-115). London, UK: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003005544
Chapter in Book - Research
Dawson, M. C. (2020). Rehumanising the university for an alternative future: Decolonisation, alternative epistemologies and cognitive justice. Identities, 27(1), 71-90. doi: 10.1080/1070289X.2019.1611072
Journal - Research Article
Kim, Y. J., Dawson, M. C., & Cassidy, T. (2020). Crafting a one-dimensional identity: Exploring the nexus between totalisation and reinvention in an elite sports environment. Sport, Education & Society, 25(1), 84-97. doi: 10.1080/13573322.2018.1555660
Journal - Research Article
Barth, J., Bond, S., & Dawson, M. (2019, August). Power, knowledge and community: Climate change engagement in South Dunedin. Verbal presentation at the School of Geography Postgraduate Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Dawson, M. C., Procter, L., Stringer, R., & Vakaoti, P. (Eds.). (2019). Proceedings of the Sociology, Gender Studies & Criminology, Social & Community Work Postgraduate Symposium III. Dunedin, New Zealand: Sociology, Gender Studies & Criminology Programme, University of Otago. 57p.
Conference Contribution - Edited volume of conference proceedings
Siisiialafia, T., Vakaoti, P., & Dawson, M. (2019). Youth and spirituality in the Pacific. In A. Finigan, P. Vakaoti, R. Richards & M. Schaaf (Eds.), Proceedings of the Pacific Postgraduate Symposium: Pacific Voices XVI. (pp. 27). Dunedin, New Zealand: The Pacific Islands Centre, University of Otago. Retrieved from https://www.otago.ac.nz/pacific
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Dawson, M. (2018, June). Social change. Panel discussion at the University of Otago Winter Symposium Series, Wellington, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Dawson, M. C., Vakaoti, P., & Tolich, M. (Eds.). (2018). Proceedings of the Sociology, Gender and Social Work Postgraduate Symposium II. Dunedin, New Zealand: University of Otago. 79p.
Conference Contribution - Edited volume of conference proceedings
Dawson, M. C. (2018, December). Alternative epistemologies - alternative futures: Prefiguration as a decolonising strategy. Verbal presentation at the Sociological Association of Aotearoa New Zealand (SAANZ) Conference: The Future in the Past, Wellington, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Dawson, M. (2018). Insurgent scholarship and cognitive justice: Exploring knowledge production within and beyond the academy. Proceedings of the International Sociological Association (ISA) XIX World Congress of Sociology. (pp. 250). Madrid, Spain: International Sociological Association. [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Dawson, M. C., Rosin, C., & Wald, N. (2018). A world without scarcity? In M. C. Dawson, C. Rosin & N. Wald (Eds.), Global resource scarcity: Catalyst for conflict or cooperation? (pp. 203-206). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
Chapter in Book - Research
Dawson, M. C., Rosin, C., & Wald, N. (2018). Introduction: Resource scarcity between conflict and cooperation. In M. C. Dawson, C. Rosin & N. Wald (Eds.), Global resource scarcity: Catalyst for conflict or cooperation? (pp. 1-18). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
Chapter in Book - Research
Dawson, M. C., Rosin, C., & Wald, N. (Eds.). (2018). Global resource scarcity: Catalyst for conflict or cooperation? Abingdon, UK: Routledge, 210p.
Edited Book - Research
Dawson, M. (2017, September). Against the neoliberal, neocolonial university. Verbal presentation at the Social Movements, Resistance and Social Change Conference, Auckland, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Dawson, M. C. (2017, November). Policing the academy: Resisting epistemic hegemony through insurgent scholarship. Victoria University School of Social and Cultural Studies (SACS) Seminar Series, Wellington, New Zealand. [Invited Presentation].
Other Research Output
Dawson, M. (2017, January). Cognitive justice through insurgent sociology. Plenary presentation at the Racisms and political mobilisations: Back then and right now, London, UK.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Jackson, S. J., & Dawson, M. C. (2017). IOC-state-corporate nexus: Corporate diplomacy and the Olympic coup d'état. South African Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education & Recreation, 39(1:2), 101-111.
Journal - Research Article
Dawson, M. C. (2017). Student activism against the neocolonial, neoliberal university: Exploring a sociology of absences, emergences, and hidden fines. Counterfutures, (4), 53-84. Retrieved from http://counterfutures.nz
Journal - Research Article
Dawson, M. C. (2017). CrossFit: Fitness cult or reinventive institution? International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 52(3), 361-379. doi: 10.1177/1012690215591793
Journal - Research Article
Dawson, M., & Urbano, M. (2016, September). Radical scholarship in neoliberal times: A dangerous, but necessary calling. Verbal presentation at the Social Movements, Resistance and Social Change III Conference, Wellington, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Dawson, M. C. (2016). Putting the brakes on the edufactory and reclaiming the campus as a site of resistance. Proceedings of the Social Movements Resistance and Social Change III Conference. (pp. 33-50). Retrieved from https://counterfutures.nz/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Dawson, M. C. (2015). CrossFit and prosumer capitalism: Thinking outside the box? Proceedings of the International Sociology of Sport Association (ISSA) Congress. Retrieved from http://issa1965.org/conferences/historical-overview/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Dawson, M. C., & Sinwell, L. (2015). Ethical and political challenges of participatory action research in the academy: Reflections on social movements and knowledge production in South Africa. In K. Gillan & J. Pickerill (Eds.), Research ethics and social movements: Scholarship, activism and knowledge production. (pp. 43-56). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
Chapter in Book - Research
Dawson, M. C. (2015). Social contestation, citizenship and modernity in democratic South Africa. In B. M. Bringel & J. M. Domingues (Eds.), Global modernity and social contestation. London, UK: SAGE. doi: 10.4135/9781473916449.n15
Chapter in Book - Research
Dawson, M. (2014). 'Fitter, faster, stronger, better': Crossfit as a reinventive institution. Proceedings of the XVIII International Sociological Association (ISA) World Congress of Sociology: Facing an Unequal World: Challenges for Global Sociology. (pp. 212). International Sociological Association. Retrieved from http://www.isa-sociology.org/congress2014/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Dawson, M. C., & Setshedi, V. (2014). Social movement activism in South Africa: Ebbs and flows, 2000-2010. In A. L. Farro & H. Lustiger-Thaler (Eds.), Reimagining social movements: From collectives to individuals. (pp. 159-176). Farnham, UK: Ashgate.
Chapter in Book - Research
Dawson, M. (2013). Community conflict and contestation: The struggle for participatory democracy in South Africa's modern state. Proceedings of the South African Sociological Association (SASA) Conference: Doing Sociology from the Periphery Place: Place, Power and Knowledge. (pp. 52). Retrieved from http://www.sasaonline.org.za/past-conferences.html
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Dawson, M. (2012, January). Reinventing democracy through resistance: Social movement activism in South Africa, 2000-2010. Department of Politics, York University, Toronto, Canada. [Research Presentation].
Other Research Output
Dawson, M. (2012, May). Movements and movement scholarship in South Africa (2000-2010): Challenges and prospects. Verbal presentation at the Global Modernity and Social Contestation: International Seminar, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Dawson, M. C., & Sinwell, L. (2012). Ethical and political challenges of participatory action research in the academy: Reflections on social movements and knowledge production in South Africa. Social Movement Studies, 11(2), 177-191. doi: 10.1080/14742837.2012.664900
Journal - Research Article
Dawson, M. C. (2012). Protest, performance and politics: The use of 'nano-media' in social movement activism in South Africa. Research in Drama Education, 17(3), 321-345. doi: 10.1080/13569783.2012.694028
Journal - Research Article
Sinwell, L., & Dawson, M. C. (2012). Transforming contestation: Some closing words. In M. C. Dawson & L. Sinwell (Eds.), Contesting transformation: Popular resistance in twenty-first century South Africa. (pp. 258-267). London, UK: Pluto Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Dawson, M. C., & Sinwell, L. (2012). Transforming scholarship: Soberly reflecting on the politics of resistance. In M. C. Dawson & L. Sinwell (Eds.), Contesting transformation: Popular resistance in twenty-first century South Africa. (pp. 1-22). London, UK: Pluto Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Dawson, M. C., & Sinwell, L. (Eds.). (2012). Contesting transformation: Popular resistance in twenty-first century South Africa. London, UK: Pluto Press, 300p.
Edited Book - Research
Dawson, M. (2011, May). Protest, performance and politics: The use of 'nano media' in social movement activism in South Africa. University of Otago Sociology Seminar Series, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Department Seminar].
Other Research Output
Dawson, M. & Jackson, S. (2011, May). TIN TOWN: The unaccountable cost of the 2010 World Cup. University of Otago School of Physical Education Documentary Screening and School Seminar, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Department Seminar].
Other Research Output
Dawson, M. (2011, July). Frames, hidden transcripts and ‘nano-media’ in social movement activism in South Africa. Verbal presentation at the Social Change: Concept and Evidence Workshop, Bela-Bela, South Africa.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Dawson, M. (2011, April). Performance, poetry and protest: The use of ‘nano-media’ in social movement activism in South Africa. Verbal presentation at the 16th International Alternative Futures and Popular Protest Conference, Manchester, UK.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Dawson, M. C. (2010, March). Academia and activism: Understanding different sites of research, knowledge production and social justice. Verbal presentation at the Alternative Futures and Popular Protest Conference, Manchester, UK.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Dawson, M. C. (2010, June). New theoretical insights into the study of social movements: Using the lens of "Southern theory". Verbal presentation at the South African Sociological Association (SASA) XVI Congress, London, UK.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Dawson, M. C. (2010). The politics of protesting policing in South Africa. Proceedings of the XVII ISA World Congress of Sociology: Sociology on the Move. (pp. 111). Retrieved from http://www.isa-sociology.org/congress2010/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Dawson, M. (2010). The cost of belonging: Exploring class and citizenship in Soweto's water war. Citizenship Studies, 14(4), 381-394. doi: 10.1080/13621025.2010.490033
Journal - Research Article
Dawson, M. C. (2010). Resistance and repression: Policing protest in post-apartheid South Africa. In J. Handmaker & R. Berkhout (Eds.), Mobilising social justice in South Africa: Perspectives from researchers and practitioners. (pp. 101-136). The Hague, The Netherlands: Hivos/ISS Civil Society Building Knowledge Programme.
Chapter in Book - Research
Dawson, M. C. (2010). 'Phansi privatisation! Phansi!': The anti-privatisation forum and ideology in social movements. In M. C. Dawson & W. Beinart (Eds.), Popular politics and resistance movements in South Africa. (pp. 266-285). Johannesburg, South Africa: Wits University Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Beinart, W., & Dawson, M. C. (Eds.). (2010). Popular politics and resistance movements in South Africa. Johannesburg, South Africa: Wits University Press, 376p.
Edited Book - Research
Dawson, M. (2009, June). The cost of belonging: Exploring class and citizenship in Sowento's water war. Verbal presentation at the Comprehending Class Conference, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Dawson, M. C. (2009, June-July). Intersecting identities in social movements: Exploring race, class and gender in community movements. Verbal presentation at the South African Sociological Association (SASA) Annual Conference: Making Sense of Boarders: Identity, Citizenship and Power in Comparative Perspective, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Dawson, M. (2009, December). Straddling the divide between academia and activism: Exploring different forms of knowledge production. Verbal presentation at the Path Towards Reflexive Sociology: Ethnography Matters, Porto, Portugal.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Dawson, M. (2009, November). Resistance and repression: Policing protest in post-apartheid South Africa. Verbal presentation at the Institute of Social Studies (ISS) Conference: Mobilising Social Justice: Unlocking the Potential for Civic Action to Achieve Structural Change, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Zeilig, L., & Dawson, M. (Eds.). (2008). Journal of Higher Education in Africa, 6(2&3) [Special issue: Student Activism in Africa]. [Guest Editor].
Other - Edited Journal
Dawson, M. (2008, June). The value of networks in popular protest around access to water in Johannesburg, South Africa. Verbal presentation at the 38th International Institute of Sociology (ISS) World Congress, Budapest, Hungary.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Zeilig, L., & Dawson, M. (2008). Student activism, structural adjustment and the democratic transition in Africa. Journal of Higher Education in Africa, 6(2&3), 1-31.
Journal - Research Article
Dawson, M. C. (2007). Identity formation among learners at a South African high school: Assessing the interaction between context and identity. Race Ethnicity & Education, 10(4), 457-472. doi: 10.1080/13613320701658472
Journal - Research Article
Dawson, M. C. (2006). Students, activism and identity. In P. Alexander, M. C. Dawson & M. Ichharam (Eds.), Globalisation and new identities: A view from the middle. (pp. 275-294). Johannesburg, South Africa: Jacana Media.
Chapter in Book - Research
Alexander, P., Dawson, M. C., & Ichharam, M. (Eds.). (2006). Globalisation and new identities: A view from the middle. Johannesburg, South Africa: Jacana Media, 364p.
Edited Book - Research
Dawson, M. (2005, January). Who is resisting globalisation? Questioning the diversity of global social movements. Verbal presentation at the Encounter in Open Space 1 Conference, Picada Café, Brazil.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Dawson, M. (2003). Young voices: South African students in the fight against neo-liberal globalisation. Globalisation and New Social Identities Symposium. (pp. 57-70). Johannesburg, South Africa: Centre for Sociological Research. [Full Paper]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Dawson, M. (2003). Is another world possible? South African Labour Bulletin, 27(1), 64, 64.
Journal - Professional & Other Non-Research Articles
Dawson, M. (2003). Fighting wars on different fronts: The role of social movements. Aambeeld/Anvil, 31(1), 29-32.
Journal - Research Other
Dawson, M. (2003). From Brazil to India: Lessons from WSF III. Debate, 9, 27-30.
Journal - Research Other
Dawson, M., Matalala, W., & Maleka, L. (2001). 'Collective consciousness'. South African Labour Bulletin, 25(3), 93-95.
Journal - Professional & Other Non-Research Articles
Dawson, M. (2001, July). 'They're just not like us': The experience and identity amongst pupils at a high school in Gauteng. Verbal presentation at the South African Sociological Association (SASA) Annual Conference: Globalization, Inequality and Identity, Pretoria, South Africa.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
MA (RAU) DPhil (Oxon)